Lithuania selets Boxer IFV

Jane’s is reporting that Lithuania has selected the ARTEC Boxer 8×8 to become their new infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). This news contradicts reports from early November which indicated that Lithuania was leaning toward the purchase of the General Dynamics Styker 8×8. Lithuania plans to buy 88 Boxers, including 84 in an IFV configuration and four command post variants. It is reported that Lithuania has decided to use the UT 30 Mk 2 turret offered separately by Elbit Systems to arm these vehicles. The turret will be armed with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launchers. Delivery of the first 14 Boxer IFVs should be made to the Lithuanian Land Forces in the second half of 2017. All 88 vehicles are to be delivered by the end of 2019. The worth of the purchase is almost equal to Lithuania’s entire defence budget for 2015, which stands at EUR 425m. Next year, however, military spending is going up to EUR 575m.